Fascism Today

Written by –

Lochana Hegde

Abstract –

This paper aims to examine what fascism is all about and whether is it prevalent in the present generation. It also
provides a comprehensive understanding of our topic by analyzing it historically and conceptually. The main elements
and traits of fascist ideology are then examined, including its emphasis on nationalism, authoritarianism, and the denial
of individual freedom in favor of the needs of the state. The research also investigates how fascist governments have
functioned, looking at example studies like Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. The research also takes into account the
larger cultural and social settings, such as economic instability, social discontent, and the emergence of extreme
movements, in which fascism evolved.

Introduction –

Fascism is one such ideology that broadly encompasses imperialism, totalitarianism, and the highly problematic topic of
all times – the Holocaust, also defined as a movement. One important characteristic of fascism is that recognizes the
nation as an organic and homogeneous community, thus creating new order and civilization. A visual and historical
allusion to a Roman imperial emblem of power is fascism. Modern political philosophy first emerged in Northern Italy in
1919, and Benito Mussolini was its creator. Thus, the Italian peninsula is where the name fascist and political movement
was first coined. It was made feasible by the radical nationalism ideology, which was a component of a greater
intellectual backlash against the Enlightenment. In the case of Latin America, this legacy was both European and "non-
European" as well. Undoubtedly, the original fascist ideology developed as a response to the revolutionary European
upheavals of the protracted nineteenth century. A post-revolutionary assault on equality was fascism. The long-standing
ideological lineage that gave rise to fascism has as its main source of inspiration the anti-Enlightenment philosophy. Its
various manifestations represented a backlash against liberal politics and a denial of democracy. However, fascism
promoted a corporatist organization that aspired to serve capitalist accumulation rather than resist the market economy.
Importantly, fascism is a political action theory that values unrelenting aggression in the arena of politics. 1

Thinking about Fascism –

Considering fascism is not about an administration or a movement, but rather about the dangers that could arise for
civilization as a whole when it rejects the idea of universal principles, replaces historical relativity for universalist
thinking, and substitutes multiple communitarian values for personal autonomy. It is a meditation on the mechanisms
and causes of the twentieth-century collapse of democracies. Indeed, the annihilation of liberty, the collapse of
democratic principles, and liberalism in Italy first, followed by Germany, Spain, and ultimately France in 1940, cannot be
accounted for as a series of independent occurrences. In a nutshell, the Great War's psychic toll, casualties, and financial
losses alone could not account for the catastrophe that engulfed Europe. Not alone were mental challenges, an armed
disaster, inflation, and joblessness, or the Soviet Revolution causes of fascism and Nazism. Fascism would have had little
significance if it had simply been an unavoidable aftereffect of the First World War, a phenomenon restricted to the
interwar years, associated with economic disaster, unemployment, and depression. In such a scenario, the propensity to
downplay the importance of the 1930s and 1940s in the collective narratives of the three great European nations would
have its justification.2

1
Finchelstein, Federico. “On Fascist Ideology - Finchelstein - 2008 - Wiley Online Library.” On Fascist Ideology, Constellations; Wiley Online Library, 2008,
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-8675.2008.00494.x.

2
“How to Think About Fascism and Its Ideology.” Wiley Online Library, 20 Aug. 2008, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-8675.2008.00504.x.

Accessed 26 Apr. 2023.

In the present times -

Fascism continues to thrive today, and it manifests itself in many different ways. The fundamental principles and ideals of
fascism are still evident in several political groups and organizations today, even if the traditional fascist governments of
the middle of the 20th century—such as Nazi Germany and fascist Italy—no longer exist. Authoritarian rule, nationalist
sentiments, anti-democratic ideologies, and the repression of personal liberties and rights are characteristics of fascism.
These components may be identified in far-right political parties, neo-Nazi organizations, white supremacist
organizations, and certain dictatorial governments among other extreme organizations and political parties throughout
the globe.

Here are a few examples that could be gathered to show that fascism still manifests itself in many different ways –

1. United States of America –

On January 6, 2021, a mob of Republican presidential supporters stormed the United States Capitol. Donald J.
Trump. The attacks disrupted a joint congressional discussion convened to confirm the results of the 2020
presidential election, in which Trump lost to Democratic opponent Joe Biden. A legally elected president takes
office. The attack was widely viewed as an insurgency or an attempted coup, as it was intended to prevent The
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other law enforcement agencies also treated it as an act of domestic
terrorism. He delivered a speech before the attack, inviting a large crowd of his supporters near the White House
to march toward the Capitol and violently resist congressional recognition of Biden's victory. (He was later
acquitted by the Senate.) Trump, meantime, urged his followers to join a rally and march on January 6 to protest
the process of counting votes in several tweets starting in mid-December. "Be there, will be wild!" Trump said in
one of the tweets. Many right-wing radicals and paramilitary personnel attended the gathering, which was
staged in a public park close to the White House. Rudy Giuliani, the personal attorney for Trump, and his sons
Donald Jr. and Eric, among other people, gave remarks. 3

2. Brazil –
The current Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has come under fire for allegedly supporting fascist ideas and
dictatorship. Bolsonaro has made contentious remarks regarding minorities, women, and the LGBT community
and has professed support for the military dictatorship that controlled Brazil from 1964 to 1985. He has also
been charged with undermining Brazilian democracy and the rule of law. Additionally, Bolsonaro's
administration has come under fire for several of its policies, particularly its muscular approach to law
enforcement and his attacks on the media and the opposition. Additionally, Bolsonaro has been charged with
fostering a cult of personality around himself, which is a hallmark of fascist governments. It's crucial to
remember that not everyone concurs with the claim that Bolsonaro is a fascist. Some of his admirers contend
that he is just a conservative who is hard on crime and corruption while also working to further Brazil's economic
growth and development. Brazil still has a functional democracy with free and fair elections, notwithstanding
Bolsonaro's contentious statements and actions. Overall, the issue of whether Bolsonaro's administration in
Brazil embodies a fascist ideology is complicated and contentious, and perspectives on the subject are likely to
differ depending on one's political beliefs and historical perspective. 4

3
“January 6 U.S. Capitol Attack.” Brittanica, 26 Apr. 2023, www.britannica.com/event/January-6-U-S-Capitol-attack. Accessed 27 Apr. 2023.

4
Phillips, Tom. “Jair Bolsonaro Denies He Is a Fascist and Paints Himself as a Brazilian Churchill.” The Guardian, 30 Oct. 2018,

www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/30/jair-bolsonaro-denies-he-is-a-fascist-brazilian-churchill. Accessed 27 Apr. 2023.

3. Hungary –
After speaking out against the creation of "peoples of mixed race", Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary,
has been condemned for using "Nazi" terminology by members of his team. In her resignation letter, sociologist
Zsuzsa Hegedüs, one of the prime minister's longest advisors, referred to Orban's remarks as "worthy of
Goebbels"—a term for the Nazi leader who acted as Hitler's spokesperson. Members of the Jewish community
have also expressed concern. The remark was dubbed "stupid and dangerous" by the International Auschwitz
Committee on Tuesday, and the organization urged the European Union to "make it clear to the world that a Mr.
Orban has no future in Europe." In a press release provided to the AFP news agency, the organization's vice
president, Christoph Heubner, claimed that the address brought to mind "the dark times of their isolation and
persecution" for people who survived the Holocaust. Some critics describe his government as authoritarian, he
has further been accused of cracking down on press freedom, limiting the independence of the judiciary, and
promoting anti-immigrant sentiments. All of these instances are clear cases of fascist ideologies. 5

4. India –
Criticism at any level is met with merciless retribution in Modi's India. This is an obvious sign of a fascist
government. 'Predator of journalistic freedom' is how Modi is described. Media freedom and intellectual
independence have reached unprecedented lows during his administration. A parliamentary debate has
frequently been stopped, resulting in the passage of measures without discussion. There are similarities
between Hitler's leadership style and the Modi cult in India. There are countless depictions of the 'Dear Leader'.
State media has been substituted with sensationalist, biased Godi media. This media never gets tired of
highlighting how diligently Modi works. They need to be denouncing his horrible handling of the Covid epidemic,
which led to the deaths of millions of Indians, instead. Godi media is establishing illiberalism and encouraging
hate speech against everyone who disagrees with Modi, not just Muslims. History is rewritten by fascism. By
criticizing educational institutions and colleges that may disprove its theories, it encourages anti-intellectualism.
Chapters on demonstration and social action have been removed from textbooks under Modi. They have been
replaced with myths about the historical accomplishments of Hindus and Islamophobic Hindutva beliefs. For
challenging Hindutva or the Modi administration, academics and researchers face dismissal or physical violence.
Opposition parties and anybody who tries to express disapproval are intimidated and persecuted by government
institutions, particularly security and financial organizations. 6

Conclusion –

Neo-fascism, post-fascism, and proto-fascism. As seen by the proliferation of prefixes, political analysts are struggling to
find the appropriate terminology to define today's xenophobic, ultranationalist far-right politics. Fascism is on the
increase in today's world, and we can no longer deny that truth. What was once a marginal movement has long been
gaining political influence and cultural acceptability. Fascism dehumanizes sections of the population to lessen empathy
and defend the cruel treatment of such groups. Truth, decorum, and decency are no longer important. Making rhetoric a
reality is the aim. Racist, religious, and ethnic divisions are fostered or strengthened by fascist policies. Crises provide
fascism with anti-democratic chances. In a functioning democracy, citizens are treated fairly and equitably under the law.
This contrasts with fascist law and order, which aims to create two classes of people. We can get rid of fascist ideologies
only by educating ourselves, voting for the right parties, organizing awareness camps to tell people the serious harms of
fascist ideologies, and promoting diversity overall.

Resources –

1. Finchelstein, Federico. “On Fascist Ideology - Finchelstein - 2008 - Wiley Online Library

5
Szabo, Bernadette. “Outrage After Hungary PM Viktor Orban’s ‘Pure Nazi’ Speech.” Al Jazeera and News Agencies, 27 July 2022,

www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/27/outrage-in-hungary-after-orbans-pure-nazi-speech. Accessed 26 Apr. 2023.

6
Singh, Amit. “Hindutva Fascism Threatens the World’s Largest Democracy.” The Loop, theloop.ecpr.eu/hindutva-fascism-is-threatening-the-worlds-largest-

democracy. Accessed 27 Apr. 2023.

2. “How to Think About Fascism and Its Ideology.” Wiley Online Library, 20 Aug. 2008

3. January 6th U.S Capitol Attack – Brittanica

4. Phillips, Tom. “Jair Bolsonaro Denies He Is a Fascist and Paints Himself as a Brazilian Churchill.” The Guardian, 30

Oct. 2018

5. Szabo, Bernadette. “Outrage After Hungary PM Viktor Orban’s ‘Pure Nazi’ Speech.” Al Jazeera and News

Agencies, 27 July 2022

6. Singh, Amit. “Hindutva Fascism Threatens the World’s Largest Democracy.” The Loop